USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1951 > Part 2
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Article forty-two:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 42.
Article forty-three:
Voted: That the Town adopt the Civil Defense By-Law, in accordance with Chapter 639 of the Acts of 1950, as shown in the printed report of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
Article forty-four:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for Civil Defense, said appropriation to be ex- pended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article forty-five:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate or trans- fer from available funds the sum of $950 to repair and repoint the under part of the arch of the bridge over Town Brook on Market Street, said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
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Article forty-six:
Voted: That the Town direct the Public Safety Com- mission to revise the building by-laws and to present its recommendations to the Town for acceptance at a later date.
Article forty-seven:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 47.
Article forty-eight:
Voted (Unanimously) That the Town adopt the pro- posed Zoning By-Law, as shown on the back page of the printed report of the Advisory and Finance Committee and to raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for Expenses of the Board of Appeals.
Article forty-nine:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $400 for additional expenses of the Zoning Board, ap- pointed under Article 94 of the Town Meeting Warrant of March 25, 1950.
Article fifty:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) for the pruning of dead wood and removing of trees, in accordance with Section 6, Chapter 761 of the Acts of 1949.
Article fifty-one:
Voted: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $2,180 for the purchase of a Mist Blower to replace a 1919 model spray- er and to dispose of the same.
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Article fifty-two:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 52.
Article fifty-three:
Mr. Robert B. Bowler moved: That the Town take no action under Article 53.
Mr. Reubin Winokur moved: That the matter of the acquisition of an ambulance by the Town be referred to the Commission of Public Safety for study, the report of that commission to be filed not later than December 1, 1951. The motion was carried.
The original motion as amended was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article fifty-four:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate or trans- fer from available funds the sum of $400 to seal coat the hard-surfaced road at Morton Park.
Article fifty-five:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate or trans- fer from available funds the sum of $785 for the purchase of power driven grass cutting equipment for the Park Department.
Article fifty-six:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $500 to carry on the brush cutting and tree trimming project at Morton Park, said appropriation to be expend- ed under the direction of the Park Commissioners, and to continue the committee appointed under Article 67 of the annual Town Meeting Warrant of 1950 and direct them to bring in their report to the Town.
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Article fifty-seven:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 57.
Article fifty-eight:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 58.
Article fifty-nine:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 to be expended by the Park Department for cleaning Town Brook at Brewster Garden and Spoon- er Park.
Article sixty:
Voted: That the Town authorize the Water Commis- sioners to make an exploration for a new ground water supply and to construct an 8" test well and to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $3,000 therefor.
Article sixty-one:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate or trans- fer from available funds the sum of $1,200 for the pur- chase of a new pick-up truck for the Water Department and to dispose of one now in service.
Article sixty-two:
Mr. Robert B. Bowler moved: That the Town take no action under Article 62.
Mr. Edward Belcher moved to amend: That the Town authorize the Water Commissioners to lay and maintain a water main in Rocky Hill Road together with fire hy- drants, services and other appurtenances as necessary and appropriate the sum of twelve thousand, one hundred and fifty dollars ($12,150) therefor.
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The original motion as amended was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article sixty-three:
Voted: That the Town refer the disposition of the Jabez Corner Schoolhouse and lot to the Planning Board for further study.
Article sixty-four:
Mr. Robert B. Bowler moved: That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen, at its discretion, to sell at public auction, the building and the land known as the Cold Spring Schoolhouse and lot, such transfer not to take place before June 30, 1951.
Mr. Reubin Winokur moved to amend: That this mat- ter be referred to the Planning Board for study, and the motion was carried.
The original motion as amended was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article sixty-five:
Voted: That the Town authorize the Board of Select- men to execute releases of all demands concerning the takings by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the following parcels of land of the April 10, 1950, lay-out: Parcels Nos. 15 and 21, Parcels Nos. 12-T and 16-T. (Plym- outh By-Pass)
Article sixty-six:
Voted: That the Town accept Chapter 783 of the Acts of 1950, an act making applicable increases in retirement allowances to those persons retired after January 1, 1946, with a minimum allowance.
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Article sixty-seven:
Voted: That the Town accept Chapter 820 of the Acts of 1950, an act providing for an increase in the annual amounts of certain pensions, retirement allowances, an- nuities and other benefits payable by the Commonwealth and its political sub-divisions to certain former employees and persons claiming under them, and that the Town further vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $225 to carry out the provisions of this act, to be allocated as follows:
Fire Dept., Salaries $75.00
Sealer W. & M., Salaries 75.00
Pensions for Town Laborers 75.00
Article sixty-eight:
Voted: That the Town authorize the Moderator to ap- point a committee of five (to investigate and study the provisions of Chapter 662 of the Acts of 1949, an act to authorize the organization of Union Health Departments, and to report its findings to the next annual Town Meet- ing), said committee not to include any member of the Board of Health of the Town of Plymouth.
Article sixty-nine:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 69.
Article seventy:
Mr. Donald S. Davis moved: That the Committee ap- pointed under Article 96 of the Town Meeting held March 25, 1950, to study Representative Town Government, be continued for another year for further study, with the authority to hold public hearings, and file their report with the Town by December 1, 1951. The motion was carried.
Mr. William H. Armstrong moved the following Re-
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solve: That it be the sense of the meeting that the Select- men be requested to insert an article in the next Town Warrant to reduce the quorum of 400 as adopted at a pre- vious Town Meeting to 200 or less as determined by the Board of Selectmen, but the motion was lost.
Article seventy-one:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $750 for the purpose of maintaining during the ensuing year the mosquito control works as estimated and certi- fied to by the State Reclamation Board, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 112, Acts of 1931.
Article seventy-two:
Voted: That the Town transfer from the receipts from Parking Meter Fees the sum of $285 for Parking Meter Expenses, $185 of which shall be for care of the meters by the Police Department and $100 for wrappers and sup- plies for the Treasury Department.
Article seventy-three:
Voted: (Unanimously) That the Town accept and al- low as a Town way from the end of Westerly Route, as laid out in 1928, southeasterly about 200 feet to Billing- ton Street, reserving to Christina W. Bowler, and/or her heirs and assigns, a strip of land 5 feet wide at right angles across this layout for the purpose of maintaining a pipe, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $100 for land and property damages and expenses of acquiring titles.
Article seventy-four:
Voted: (Unanimously) That the Town accept and al- low as a Town way, Cochituate Road in the Priscilla
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Beach section of Plymouth about 1200 feet long, leading northeasterly from Rocky Hill Road to John Alden Road, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $100 for land and property damage and expenses of acquiring titles.
Article seventy-five:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 for advertising the advantages of the Town, to- gether with the sum of $500 which has been contributed by donation and paid into the Town Treasury and which the Town hereby accepts, the total to be expended for the aforesaid purpose under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article seventy-six:
Voted: That the Town reconvey to Mary C. Welsh, for one dollar, a parcel of land on the northerly side of Alden Street in said Plymouth bounded and described as fol- lows: Westerly by land of the Town of Plymouth 201.18 feet; northwesterly by land of the Town by two courses, 74.80 feet and 87.13 feet respectively; southeasterly by other land of the said Mary C. Welsh 141.51 feet; easterly by said land of Welsh 210.71 feet, said parcel containing 2900 square feet, more or less.
Article seventy-seven:
Voted: That the Town authorize the Moderator to ap- point a committee of three members, (to work in con- junction with the Planning Board to make a survey and study the feasibility of constructing and maintaining a fire station in that part of Plymouth known as Manomet, said committee to report its recommendations at the next Town Meeting, and that the Town further vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100 for Expenses of said committee).
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Article seventy-eight:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 78.
Article seventy-nine:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 79.
Article eighty:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000 for the purpose of continuing the Survey and Assessors' Plans, to be expended under the direction of the Assessors, with the approval of the Planning Board.
Article eighty-one:
Mr. Robert B. Bowler moved: That the Town take no action under Article 81.
Mr. David B. Avery moved to amend: That the Town appropriate a sum of money, not to exceed seven hundred and twenty-five dollars ($725) for a 5 H. P. electric siren, remote control, for the Manomet section, to be used for a fire alarm.
The vote was taken by a show of hands; 245 voting in the affirmative and 94 in the negative, the motion was carried.
The original motion as amended was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article eighty-two:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 82.
Article eighty-three:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate or trans- fer from available funds the sum of $1,775 for the pur- chase of 500' of 21/2" hose, and 100 feet of 11/2" hose for the Fire Department.
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Article eighty-four:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate or trans- fer from available funds the sum of $478 for the purchase of an automobile for the Fire Department and to dispose of one in service.
Article eighty-five:
Voted: That the Town authorize the Board of Select- men to dispose of a 1936 Ford truck, which has been taken out of service and has been replaced by Engine No. 1 from Central Station.
Article eighty-six:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $150 for the purchase of signs and life preservers for White Horse Beach, Priscilla Beach and Point Beach, said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article eighty-seven:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 87.
Article eighty-eight:
Mr. Robert B. Bowler moved: That the Town direct the Moderator to appoint a committee of five, to work in con- junction with the Public Safety Commission, to study the matter of a 40-hour week for the Police Department, with authority to petition the General Court for any necessary enabling legislation, and to report its findings at the next regular or special Town Meeting.
Mr. James A. White moved to amend: That the Town reduce the active working hours of the members of the Police Department to forty (40) hours a week without reduction in pay and appropriate thirty-nine hundred dol-
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lars ($3,900) to be added to the Police appropriation to carry this out. The motion was carried.
Mr. Robert B. Bowler then moved to reconsider Item 32 of Article 5 with reference to Police Sergeants' and Pa- trolmen's Salaries but the motion was lost.
The original motion as amended by Mr. White was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article eighty-nine:
Mr. Robert B. Bowler moved: That the Town take no action under Article 89.
Mr. Ralph K. James moved to amend: That the Town vote to direct the Selectmen to sell to Gordon L. Howland the lots of land known as "Plymouth Town Wharf Prop- erty, Lots 5, 6, 11" for the sum of $10,000, provided that the deed contains the same restrictions found in the pres- ent lease. The motion was carried.
The original motion as amended was then put before the meeting and carried.
Article ninety:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $200 for painting grandstand and other improvements at Veterans' Field, to be expended under the direction of the Park Commissioners, and that the Town further vote to authorize the Moderator to appoint a committee of five to study the present playground facilities and make rec- ommendations to the Town with regard to future im- provements at all playgrounds.
Article ninety-one:
Voted: That the Town authorize the Moderator to ap- point a committee of five, to work in conjunction with the Planning Board, to study off-street parking and report
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its findings and recommendations to the Town and that the Town further vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for Expenses of said committee.
Article ninety-two:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 92.
Article ninety-three:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 93.
Article ninety-four:
Voted: That the Town accept the report of the Special Town Report Committee and refer it to the Selectmen for their consideration.
Article ninety-five:
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate or trans- fer from available funds the sum of $1,500, to be spent in conjunction with sums to be provided by the Common- wealth of Massachusetts or County of Plymouth, or both, for the construction of groins or jetties or other water- front protection along the shore at Ellisville between El- lisville Harbor and Lookout Point.
Article ninety-six:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 96.
Article ninety-seven:
Voted: That the Town take no action under Article 97.
Total Appropriations $1,947,703.24
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Less:
From Excess and Deficiency:
Art. 20
$36,000.00
Art.
23
5,550.00
Art. 25
10,000.00
Art.
26
2,500.00
Art. 29
400.00
Art.
30
1,220.10
Art.
35
830.00
Art. 37
1,200.00
Art.
38
1,200.00
Art. 39
950.00
:
Art. 40
3,000.00
Art.
41
1,700.00
Art.
45
950.00
Art.
51
2,180.00
Art. 54
400.00
Art. 55
785.00
Art. 60
3,000.00
Art.
61
1,200.00
Art.
83
1,775.00
Art.
84
478.00
Art.
95
1,500.00
$76,818.10
Art. 27 Post-War Rehab. Fund 7,000.00
Art. 28 Post-War Rehab. Fund 4,000.00
Art. 31 Post-War Rehab. Fund 10,000.00
Art.
72 Parking Meter Receipts 285.00
98,103.10
$1,849,600.14
On motion of Walter Haskell, Voted: To adjourn.
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE on the Articles in the Town Warrant March 24, 1951
This year the Town is again faced with the largest re- quest ever for departmental budgets, a total of $1,791,000, which is 11% more than was spent last year. If the Finance Committee recommendations are followed in Article 7, the total of the budgets will still be over 8% higher than was spent in 1950. However, more than 70% of the recommended increase is due to salary and wage increases. More detailed comments on salaries and wages appear below. The Committee feels that the individual town employee must not be penal- ized by budget cuts. The increase of both state and federal expenditures during the next few years will place a heavier tax burden on all of our citizens. This burden may be intoler- able unless the Town begins to think about curtailing its serv- ices. The expression "Guns or Butter" may be trite, but it is nevertheless vitally true today. We strongly recommend, therefore, that the Selectmen request several outstanding citizens to join with them during the next year to make a de- tailed study of ways and means of reducing the budgets of the several town departments. With the increased demand for man power, it is very probable that Town personnel will be automatically reduced without causing hardship to any individual. With the increased growth of town government, the demands on the Finance Committee have grown tremen- dously. It is very doubtful if we could function at all without the help of the various committees and boards, both perma- nent and temporary, which have been authorized by the Town each year. This is especially true of the Personnel Board created last year. They have lifted a big burden from our shoulders, as we have never had the time nor information to fairly judge the justification of changes and adjustments in wages and salaries.
SALARIES AND WAGES
The Personnel Board has inserted an article in the War- rant to revise the salary schedule of positions coming under
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the Salary Classification By-Law. This revised schedule pro- vides for an increase of 10% in all salaried positions and 10ยข per hour in wages. This action has been taken to comply with recommendation No. 8, made by the Wage and Salary Classification Committee in their report, which was accepted and approved by the Town at the meeting of March, 1950. This recommendation provided that "the Personnel Board shall make studies of the cost of living and comparative wages and shall make recommendations to the Town."
The Personnel Board's study indicated that an upward revision of approximately 10% is necessary. In March 1950, the Federal Cost of Living Index was 167.0. In Dec. 1950 it had reached 178.4, an increase of 11.4. The figures for March 1951 are considerably higher. The March 1950 Mass. Cost of Living Index was 157.6. In Feb. 1951 it was 171.2 - up 13.6. Industrial wages in the Plymouth area show a similar trend. Our largest industrial concern has increased wages by 10%.
A study of municipal salaries in 29 towns comparable to Plymouth, based on figures supplied by the Mass. Federa- tion of Taxpayers' Ass'n, indicates that Plymouth has lost ground in relative standing since the Classification Plan was adopted. The loss of standing between 1948 and 1949 alone was about 7 to 9% and does not include advances made by these towns in their 1950 and 1951 meetings, which would in- crease this differential.
All factors supported the conclusion that an upward re- vision is necessary and careful analysis indicated that 10% is an equitable figure at this time. The citizens will note that the Personnel Board's findings have been closely matched by the adjustment made in the National Wage Formula and by other agencies on a national level.
SUMMARY OF REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON SALARIES OF ELECTED TOWN OFFICIALS
John W. Searles, Chairman Warren Girard Donald E. Ticknor
The Chairman of the Finance and Advisory Committee appointed a sub-committee in 1950 to study the salaries of
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elected town officials, with a view to recommending action on such salaries for 1951.
The sub-committee has made comparisons with salaries paid in 1950 in 15 other towns in Massachusetts with popula- tions ranging between 11,804 and 22,000 (Plymouth being 13,652). Data was secured from these towns by sending the Town Accountant a questionnaire covering pertinent points.
The following towns co-operated in the survey; general information was also secured, as indicated below:
Town
Year- Round Population
Area Square Miles
Total Assessed Valuation 1950
Assessed Valuation Per Capita
Athol
11,804
33.75
$11,978,212
$1,023
Swampscott
12,281
3.1
24,406,576
1,990
Andover
12,300
32.0
17,608,085
1,430
Adams
12,724
23.62
10,008,700
785
Clinton
13,000
5.0
12,000,000
922
Stoneham
13,028
6.66
18,221,525
1,400
Webster
13,534
14.39
18,302,269
1,350
PLYMOUTH
13,652
106.0
24,738,705
1,810
Reading
13,869
9.9
22,655,935
1,640
Winchester
15,567
6.45
35,596,975
2,285
Danvers
15,708
13.9
15,149,850
964
Milford
15,801
16.0
13,791,150
871
Needham
16,262
12.75
36,771,000
2,260
Lexington
17,059
16.64
28,684,615
1,685
Saugus
17,146
12.7
20,536,714
1,198
Natick
22,000
15.99
24,152,400
1,100
Average
14.800
20.5
20,900,000
1,415
Certain things are clear in the above tabulation, as follows:
1. Plymouth is slightly lower in population (7%) but higher in assessed valuation (approximately 20%) than the average of other towns studied.
2. Although Plymouth's area is actually much greater (about 3 times) than the largest of other towns studied, and seven times the average of the other towns, these ratios are not realistic for direct salary comparisons because of the large areas of non- taxable land in Plymouth - about 25% is State Reservation land, and much land around the ponds is non-taxable as it is owned by the Scout organiza- tions, etc.
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Recommendations:
The sub-committee recommends that the salaries of elected officials be increased approximately 10% in line with the 10% increase applicable to other town salaries and wages at this time, as follows:
Old Salary New Salary
Board of Selectmen: Chairman
$726.00
$800.00
Members
363.00
400.00
Board of Assessors:
Chairman
3,339.60
3,675.00
Members
2,987.60
3,190.00
Town Clerk
2,230.00
2,455.00
Town Treasurer
2,230.00
2,455.00
Tax Collector
3,470.00
3,820.00
Supporting data for the above recommendations are as follows:
A. Selectmen.
Salaries paid in 16 towns, in 1950, including Plymouth:
Plymouth
Chairman $726 429
Selectmen $363 352
Average
Range
$0- $740
$ 0- $690
No. towns paying:
0 - 100
1
1
101 - 200
3
3
201 - 300
1
1
301 - 400
1
5P
401 - 500
5
3
501 - 600
2
2
601 - 700
1
1
701 - 800
2P
P-including Plymouth
Note: (1) Winchester selectmen serve without pay; this town is next to highest in the group in assessed valuation and nearly 50% higher than Plymouth. (2) Reading pays $200 and $150 to Chairman and Selectmen, respectively, for expenses. These amounts were included above, as sal- aries.
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Conclusion: Plymouth's 1950 salaries compare favorably with those of the other towns. Assuming the other towns to go up 10% this year, we should do so, but to do more would put us out of line. Data supplied were not adequate to indicate hours worked, although wide variation was indicated. In general this survey indicates that towns do not consider that selectmen should be very highly paid.
We recommend increasing their salaries 10% in line with action on other Town wages and salaries.
B. Assessors' Department.
All towns studied had 3 assessors, except one, which had 4. The number of clerks varied from none to 3, about half the towns having more than one. Thus, the total number in the department varied from 3 to 6, the average being 4.5.
Following is a tabulation of salary and cost data related to the assessment job:
Total of Assessors' Salaries Only $9,135
Total Salaries includ. clerks $12,061 7,380 4,000 - 12,140
Total Annual Cost Per Capita (cents) 88.3
Total Annual Cost Per $1,000 Assessed Valuation (cents)
Plymouth
48.7
Average
4,600
49.5
38.6
Range
1200 - 9135
32.6 - 88.3
16.4 - 74.6
No. towns paying:
1,001- 2,000 2 3,001- 4,000 1 31-40
5 11-20 1
2,001- 3,000 3 4,001- 5,000 1 41-50
3 21-30 5
3,001- 4,000 2 5,001- 6,000 2 51-60
5 31-40
4
4,001- 5,000 3
6,001- 7,000 4 61-70 2 41-50 3P
5,001- 6,000 2 7,001- 8,000 3 71-80 0 51-60 1
6,001- 7,000 2 8,001- 9,000
2 81-90
1P 61-70 0
7,001- 8,000 0 9,001-10,000 1
8,001- 9,000 1 10,001-11,000 0
9,001-10,000 1P 11,001-12,000 0
12,001-13,000 2P
71-80
2
P-including Plymouth
Conclusions:
Plymouth is at the top of the range in total salaries paid to its assessors and to its assessors' department and in cost per capita, and is somewhat above the average in cost per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Because of the large area of Plymouth, it may be expected that the first three factors
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might be on the high side of the average and that the fourth factor would be above average. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the combined salaries of our three assessors is $9,135 per year, and we have one full- and one part-time clerk to help them; Clinton, the next highest, pays its assessors $8,500 and has no clerk; the next highest is Natick which pays 3 assessors $6,440 and has 3 clerks (Total salaries $12,140).
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